A Toronto man is hoping to spread a bit of kindness with a kids’ book that raises money for the Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Fred Levine wrote Triple Trouble: One Good Deed Deserves Another, a book about his four kids, including 12-year-old triplets. He said the book is meant to acknowledge his family’s love and support as he goes through life with brain cancer.

“It’s a children’s book that’s a celebration of my family during difficult times,” Levine, 47, said. “Despite my struggle with brain cancer, which is three years and counting, I found a way not to lose sight of who I am.”

Levine, who has a background in advertising and marketing, said he hasn’t been working since he was diagnosed with the tumour. Not wanting to sit at home feeling miserable, he said he focused his efforts on writing and illustrating the book, which is about how small acts of kindness can have such a positive effect on people, influencing them to spread the kindness around.

“Every crisis serves as an opportunity to make a difference,” he said. “This is my crisis and it’s a little bout of brain cancer, but here’s my opportunity to demonstrate it’s not going to hold me back.”

The fact that he’s able to thank his family through the book while also contributing to the organization that has been helping him and many others was a big bonus, he said.

Every penny from the book sales goes to the Pencer Centre.

Since its release in late October, sales of the book have raised $2,000 for the Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust.

Linda McKie, executive administrator for the brain trust, said the book’s message, as well as Levine’s writing and illustrating talents, are what made them decide to publish it.

“It had such a beautiful theme, a pay-it-forward message. We just loved that message. It’s a book that deserves to be published,” she said.

Levine said he has plans for more Triple Trouble books, which he hopes will inspire people to do good.

“I wanted it to be a positive story,” he said. “I just wanted smiles and I wanted people to get it, and if it makes people kinder, I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Find out more about the Pencer Brain Trust and ordering the book at www.pencerbraintrust.com.